GEO Group to still donate to FAU after withdrawing $6 million donation for stadium naming rights

Although the GEO Group has withdrawn a $6 million donation to Florida Atlantic University for the naming rights of its football stadium, the Boca Raton-based private prison corporation will still pledge $500,000 to the school's academic scholarship program.

GEO Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer George Zoley, an alumnus of FAU, announced the withdrawal of the $6 million donation in a letter to his alma mater Monday.

"What was originally intended as a gesture of GEO's goodwill to financially assist the university's athletic scholarship program has surprisingly evolved into an ongoing distraction to both of our organizations," Zoley said.

FAU's decision to name its football stadium after GEO Group was met with controversy amid allegations of human rights violations at the corporation's facilities.

Students who led the protest against the stadium naming rights praised the decision.

"I think it's a really strong statement for the role of students at a university, for the role of protests and civic engagement and collective action," FAU senior Leslie William told WPBF 25 News.

FAU President Mary Jane Saunders said she was "disappointed" the GEO Group withdrew its gift.

"Because it was going to be a transformational gift for our athletics department and mean more scholarships for our students, and so, you know, that's always a little hard to take," Saunders said.

Zoley said GEO Group will donate $500,000 to this year's academic scholarship program. He declined a request for an interview.

Meanwhile, FAU is forging ahead with trying to find another sponsor for the stadium's naming rights.

"We had a very, very conservative financial plan, and we'll certainly be able to pay the mortgage on the stadium," Saunders said.

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